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Paracetamol is used during pregnancy by many women because it is considered the safest pain reliever. However, it should be remembered that regardless of the opinions of other pregnant women using paracetamol, it is always necessary to consult a doctor before taking it. How to dose paracetamol during pregnancy? What effects might taking paracetamol while pregnant?
Paracetamol in pregnancy – general information
Pregnancy is a period of high risk when taking medications. Pregnant women are aware that this period is associated with many limitations, and this also applies to the use of various medications, including preparations with an analgesic effect. The use of drugs during pregnancy, including paracetamol, may adversely affect the development of the fetus, as drug components may pass through the mother to the fetus and cause various disorders. Particular caution when taking, inter alia, paracetamol is especially effective in the first trimester of pregnancy, when all the important organs begin to develop and the risk of miscarriage is highest. The basic dependence in taking drugs during pregnancy is that a pregnant woman can use a given drug only when the therapeutic benefits of using it outweigh the risk of harm to the fetus. Regardless of the opinions of other pregnant women, every expectant mother should consult a gynecologist who conducts pregnancy before taking medications, including paracetamol.
Paracetamol in pregnancy – indications
Paracetamol during pregnancy is a drug used by women who struggle with:
- acute and recurrent headache, as well as in cases of migraine;
- toothache;
- pain in the motor organs, including the spine and the pubic symphysis;
- muscle aches;
- colic pains, especially with kidney stones;
- inflammation;
- gastroenterological pains resulting from gastric and duodenal ulcers, pancreatic and liver diseases, intestinal obstruction or flatulence and constipation;
- postoperative pains related to fractures, sprains or sprains;
- uterine contractions and stretching of the ligament.
Paracetamol in pregnancy – dosage
The dosage of paracetamol during pregnancy should be consulted with your doctor. Only the gynecologist who conducts the pregnancy will know what dose of the drug is safe for the mother and baby. The dose of paracetamol during pregnancy is always 1-4 g per day. Paracetamol tablets usually contain around 500 mg of this drug. This means that a maximum of eight painkillers per day can be taken. You can take 1-2 tablets at a time. When using paracetamol during pregnancy, it is better to choose plain APAP than APAP EXTRA.
Paracetamol in pregnancy – possible side effects
The American Food and Drug Administration has presented a classification of drugs divided according to their harmfulness or safety during pregnancy. Paracetamol is in category B, which means it is probably safe for pregnant women. Doctors warn, however, that too long and too frequent use of paracetamol during pregnancy may cause developmental defects in the baby. Specialists indicate that the use of paracetamol during pregnancy may be one of the causes of ADHD in a child. The higher the maternal dose is the more likely to develop this disorder. Norwegian scientists have tried to prove that the children of women who took paracetamol during pregnancy are more likely to struggle with asthma. However, the research has not been XNUMX% confirmed.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.